Jüsto Rebound, Google AI Standard, IKEA Leadership Changes

This week in retail news, Google unveiled a new open standard to support AI-driven shopping, while Walmart and Costco underscored Mexico’s strategic importance through strong sales and new investment. At the same time, IKEA and Heineken signaled leadership changes and margin pressures amid a tougher operating environment. Meanwhile, the fallout from Jüsto’s abrupt exit and equally sudden revival with OMNi continues to weigh on Mexican SMEs.

More news below:

Jüsto to Resume Operations After OMNi Acquisition

Digital supermarket Jüsto will resume operations following its acquisition by OMNi. The transaction, led by Moisés Chaves and Samuel Chaves, includes a planned investment of US$100 million during the first year to reactivate the platform.

Google Introduces Universal Commerce Protocol for AI Retail

Google recently announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard designed to accelerate the adoption of agentic commerce. UCP establishes a common language that allows AI agents to operate across the entire shopping journey—from discovery and conversion to post-purchase support. 

Jüsto Closure Hits Mexican SMEs as Debts Remain Unpaid

One month after digital supermarket Jüsto abruptly ceased operations, suppliers in Mexico report significant outstanding debts. According to industry sources, more than 85% of the affected suppliers are local SMEs that received no prior notice of the platform’s closure. The startup, which operated as a delivery-only grocer for six years, announced its exit on Dec. 15, citing financial, operational, and strategic factors. 

Heineken CEO Dolf Van den Brink to Leave After Six-Year Tenure

Heineken announced that its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board, Dolf van den Brink, will step down on May 31, 2026. The decision, reached in consultation with the Supervisory Board, concludes van den Brink’s six-year tenure at the helm of the world’s second-largest brewer and a 28-year career with the company.

Walmart Posts 10.8% Jump in International Sales, Led by Mexico

Walmart reported a 10.8% increase in international net sales for the third fiscal quarter of 2026, reaching US$33.5 billion. The performance was driven by sustained momentum in Mexico, China, and India, where localized omnichannel strategies and continued e-commerce investments delivered solid gains. During an analyst call, Walmart executives highlighted a global strategy centered on scaling high-performing operations. International e-commerce sales rose 26% globally.

IKEA Profits Level Off as Price Cuts Drive 2.6% Volume Growth

Inter IKEA Group, the worldwide franchisor for the IKEA brand, reported a net income of €1.5 billion (MX$31.4 billion) for the 2025 fiscal year, a decrease from the €2.2 billion recorded in the previous year. The company characterized the results as a "return to normal levels" following a period of fluctuating global market conditions. The decline in profit was primarily attributed to lower operating income and reduced interest income on cash balances.

Costco Announces US$100 Million Expansion in Aguascalientes

Costco Wholesale has initiated its 2026 strategic expansion in Mexico with the announcement of a new, large-scale facility in Aguascalientes. The project involves a US$100 million (MX$1.8 billion) investment to develop one of the brand's most expansive locations in the country; the start of a multi-decade growth plan for the retailer in the Mexican market.